Hechicero versus Stuka Jr. is probably a bigger potential mask match than Gran Guerrero & Niebla Roja and putting those two in the final would be a strong way to set it up for September, but CMLL hasn’t seemed interested in pursuing it. Atlantis & Negro Casas is fun in theory but putting Atlantis in a big match with Titan & Cavernario seems unwise. Audaz & Templario would be huge but they’re lucky to even be included. Maybe I’m underrating Rush’s chances but it doesn’t seem like a great fit of the final either. The interesting thing there is Vangellys mentioned on Informa that he was a sub for Diamante Azul, meaning Rush was originally in this tournament as a rudo and now is a tecnico. Valiente’s chances of winning are best summed up by this article which believes he’s teaming with Ultimo Guerrero tonight.

Ultimo Guerrero & Volador were in the final last year, lost, and had a strong match in that final. CMLL could just do that again. Niebla Roja & Terrible is recent apuesta match participants following up their feud, while Cuatrero & Mistico has one rising star in CMLL. It is still strange that star is not Mistico, though a block win here could turn that around a bit.

The rest of the show is not super interesting, but everything looks solid. Hijo del Villano III & Atlantis Jr. resume their matches in the fourth match, with Angel de Oro, Caristico, Rey Bucanero, and Sanson around them. It is unclear if CMLL is going to do anything beyond the tournament final next week. Running the first Hijo del Villano/Atlantis Jr. lightning match would be interesting, though I’m not sure if they’re ready yet.

I am definitely not sure if the people in this week’s lightning match are ready for each other. Rey Cometa will likely be fired up to do exciting things with Japan eyes on his match and always does a lot of dives. He’ll be doing it with Kawato San, infamous for his inability to catch dives or do much of anything cleanly in CMLL. This is going to be a challenge. This is also about the point where the NJPW visitor starts to get in a focused rivalry. A hair versus hair match with Kawato San & Rey Cometa makes as much sense as anything. On the other hand, Rey Cometa has changed his character around to be an undead spirit and may come a lot closer to the gimmick after this match. It is pretty exciting!

Japan’s Tae Honma debuts in the second match, teaming with Princesa Sughiet and Kaho Kobayashi against Amapola, Dalys, and Reyna Isis. I have no idea how good Honma is or will be in Mexico but that lineup seems like they’re hoping for a good match. Miruhon has an article about Honma’s week so far, which includes training at Arena Rey Bucanero.

Coyote & Grako, who need a team since they actually do team up all the time, face Arkalis & Halcon Suriano Jr. in the opener. The former Stukita seems to take a lot of his own bookings and so isn’t featured much by CMLL. This is his first Friday night match since December 14th. The four guys in the opener are capable of a good match, but just have to put it together.

CMLL airs on Marca and Facebook and I’ll stream it on YouTube as well.

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TWITCH

AAA streams live events on Twitch on an irregular schedule. All live shows are free with commercial breaks. Those can happen during matches. A $5/month subscription will give you a commercial-free version and VOD capabilities.

There are separate Spanish and English language channels. Both channels now broadcast every live event. The Spanish feed broadcasts a never-ending stream of old AAA TV episodes along with new interview shows. The English channel is dormant between events.

There is no set schedule for AAA events. They will vary in frequency, day of the week, and start time. AAA will mention the show dates among many other dates on their social media. I have also started a Twitter account (@aaanextshow) that focuses only on AAA streams.

If you pay for Amazon Prime, there is a (complicated) process to get VOD free for a Twitch channel of your choice. It could be either AAA one, though not both. The free subscription lasts for 30 days and does not auto-renew. You can change channels, or even just want until the next time you want to see VOD free.

YouTube

AAA also posts an episode of their show on YouTube every Sunday afternoon. It includes three or four matches and a or two vignette. These occasionally include vignettes not aired live. The matches are also uploaded individually thru the week and classic matches may also be added.

The YouTube show is always well behind the Twitch live stream. It is a minimum of a three-way delay but can length greatly when AAA has a lot of live events in a short time. Some matches may also be cut out. The entrance music is also dubbed over on YouTube.

PlutoTV

An AAA stream airs on Pluto TV Channel 218. This airs old episodes of AAA TV similar to the Twitch stream, though they show different episodes at different times. It does not show live events.

Worldwide TV

If you live outside of Mexico, you can not currently watch AAA on your TV. It is not on Galavision in the US and has not been for many years. It is not on any other US network. There are no alternative cable services which provide AAA in the US or outside of Mexico.

Mexico TV

AAA airs on three networks in Mexico

Azteca7: Friday afternoons at 4:30 pm CT

Space: Friday evenings at 6:30 pm CT

Multimedios: Sunday afternoons at 3:00 pm CT

AAA staggers the TV episodes, so each channel is getting a different show each week. Matches will generally air on Azteca7 the first week, Space the following week, and Multimedios (& YouTube) the third week.

WATCH GUIDE

Following AAA storylines is double edge swords. AAA expects you to remember everything that happened and also forget everything when they do too. You need a lot of forgiveness or little investment.

no matter what is hyped, the only match guaranteed to actually happen is the main event at TripleMania and even that is only after they’ve done a public contract signing

There will be giant evil groups formed. Those first shows will be fun. There will be many more shows. The group will wither away without the good guys doing anything. Accept that going in.

Titles are very important when they’re on screen and might as well not exist when they’re off-screen. Personal feuds take precedence.

AAA does spotfests and hardcore matches very well. They have no interest in technical matches. They do encourage everyone to have the best match they possibly can, which means the openers are sometimes the best matches for the disregard of their own safety. The older wrestlers, who have much more regard and much less mobility, are usually in the main events and those can be a drag.

the underlining theme of AAA is to get the crowd to react. If that is done with a cool move or a satisfying finish, great. If they can accomplish it by a referee refusing to count, that works for them just as well. AAA covets having an internet/worldwide fan base but the product is almost all directed at the live audience. They’re going with what works for those folks and the rest of us are along for the ride.